Smart Molding International 1-2026

22 smart_molding interna onal 1/2026 CHINAPLAS 2026 CHINAPLAS 2026: Harnessing the “15th Five-Year Plan” to Usher in a New Era of Plastics and Rubber Innovation As China embarks on the rst year of its “15th Five-Year Plan,” a dynamic blueprint for innova on and high-quality development in the plas cs and rubber industries is set to unfold at CHINAPLAS 2026. “The Recommenda ons of the 15th Five-Year Plan” emphasizes cul va ng emerging and future industries, expanding high-level openness, and advancing intelligent, green, and integrated development. These priori es provide fer le ground for the plas cs and rubber industries and anchor the exhibi on’s strategic focus. S panning over 390,000 sqm, CHINAPLAS 2026 will serve as a “Living Laboratory” of policy im - plementa on and industry transforma - on. Under the theme “Transforma on · Collabora on · Sustainability”, the ex - hibi on will take place from April 21 to 24, 2026 at the Na onal Exhibi on and Conven on Center (NECC), Hongqiao, Shanghai, PR China, empowering the industry to capitalize on new opportu - ni es amid mes of change. Emerging Industries Drive New Growth Fron ers “The Recommendations of the 15th Five-Year Plan” highlights strategic clusters in new energy, advanced materials, aerospace, and low-altitude economy, alongside breakthroughs in quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen energy, fusion energy, brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence, and 6G communications. These emerging fields are rapidly expanding the application boundaries of plastics and rubber, unlocking new growth frontiers for this fundamental pillar of manufacturing. New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) In 2025, China produced 16.6 million and sold 16.5 million New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), maintaining global leadership for 11 consecutive years with year-on-year growth of 29% in production and 28.2% in sales. New generations of material solutions for batteries, charging infrastructure, and drive systems are emerging. Rianlon’s advanced polymer antioxidants effectively extend the service life of battery systems and charging equipment under extreme conditions. DOMO’s high-purity engineering plastics, TECHNYL® PURE, with outstanding electrical insulation and chemical resistance, are well suited for high-voltage environments. Low‑altitude Economy (LAE) In 2026, the low-altitude economy (LAE) is entering a triple boom of policy, technology, and market demand. With logistics, tourism, and emergency rescue driving demand, plastics and composites are becoming strategically vital for this trillion-RMB market. Covestro’s high-CTI polycarbonate (PC) delivers reliable performance and safety in harsh electrical environments, ensuring stable operations of electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Kingfa’s KingPan® flame retardant composite panels, with high glass-fiber content and V-0 flame retardancy, can withstand 1,200°C fire exposure for 30minutes without dripping, and self-extinguish within 10 seconds of flame removal, making them suitable for critical eVTOL components. Commercial Aerospace Commercial aerospace is experiencing explosive growth, creating enormous demand for materials and equipment. By All pictures: Adsale Exhibition Services